Residential container guides for a front end loader

Abstract

A refuse vehicle has a Commercial and a Residential Mode whereby when in Commercial Mode, stops or fins, utilized in Residential Mode to assist in securing a residential container laterally at the front of the vehicle, are adjustable to prevent contact or interference with the cab protector or other portions of the vehicle when in Commercial Mode. The fins may be located and/or rotated, such as at least 30 degrees (from position to position) or above a horizontal or otherwise intermediate the residential and commercial configurations. The fins may preferably be located above a bottom of the crossbar when moving through the dumping cycle so as not to contact the cab protector in Commercial Mode. Preferably, the fins may also be housed on the residential refuse container rather than along the crossbar.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A refuse vehicle to refuse container connection comprising:
 a lift coupled to a chassis of a refuse vehicle, the lift comprising an arm assembly configured to engage a refuse container, said arm assembly comprising:
 a first arm; and 
 a second arm opposing the first arm, the first arm and the second arm being connected with a crossbar; and 
 
 a first fin assembly comprising:
 a first fin secured directly to the refuse container; and 
 a first guide connected to the chassis and configured to be selectively engaged by the first fin and restrain movement of the refuse container in a first direction parallel to an axis extending axially through a center of the crossbar. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 1 , wherein the first fin is adjustable in at least one of the first direction and or a second direction extending directly opposite to the first direction. 
     
     
       3. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 2 , wherein the first fin assembly comprises:
 a base comprising a plurality of orifices, wherein at least one orifice of the plurality of orifices is configured to receive a connector connecting the base to the refuse container. 
 
     
     
       4. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 3 , wherein the first fin extends from the first fin assembly, said first fin assembly contacting a bumper connected to the crossbar. 
     
     
       5. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 1 , wherein the refuse container comprises:
 a first pocket configured to a receive a first fork of the lift; and 
 a second pocket configured to receive a second fork of the lift, wherein the first and second pockets are connected by a crossbeam. 
 
     
     
       6. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 1 , wherein the first fin extends from the first fin assembly, said first fin assembly contacting a bumper connected to the crossbar. 
     
     
       7. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 1 , wherein the first fin extends rearwardly toward the chassis of the refuse vehicle. 
     
     
       8. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 1 , wherein the first fin extends over the crossbar. 
     
     
       9. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 1 , wherein the first guide secures to the chassis below a cab of the vehicle. 
     
     
       10. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first guide has a vertically extending surface; and 
 the first fin has a vertically extending surface, wherein the vertically extending surfaces of the first guide and the first fin are parallel. 
 
     
     
       11. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 10 , wherein the vertically extending surfaces of the first fin and the first guide are in contact with one another. 
     
     
       12. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a second fin assembly having a second fin secured directly to the refuse container; and 
 a second guide connected to the chassis of the vehicle, the second fin and the second guide being configured to cooperate to restrain motion of the refuse container in a second direction extending opposite the first direction. 
 
     
     
       13. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second fin assembly comprising:
 a second fin secured directly to the refuse container; and 
 a second guide connected to the chassis of the vehicle, the second fin and the second guide being configured to cooperate to restrain motion of the refuse container in a second direction extending opposite the first direction. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the lift comprises:
 a first fork; and 
 a second fork opposite the first fork; and 
 
 the refuse container comprises pockets configured to receive the first fork and the second fork of the lift, wherein the pockets are connected by a crossbeam. 
 
     
     
       15. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second fins extend rearwardly relative to the refuse container towards the refuse vehicle. 
     
     
       16. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 13 , wherein bumpers on the crossbar contact the first and second fin assemblies. 
     
     
       17. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 13 , wherein the second fin is adjustable in at least one of the first direction or the second direction. 
     
     
       18. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the lift comprises:
 a first fork; and 
 a second fork opposite the first fork; and 
 
 the first and second fin assemblies are adjacent to the first and second forks. 
 
     
     
       19. The refuse vehicle to refuse container connection of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second fins are rearwardly directed from the refuse container in respective planes perpendicular to an axis extending along the crossbar.